Tapping device for beer kegs and the like

ABSTRACT

The tapping device includes a keg adapter semipermanently secured within a keg opening and having liquid and gas passages. A valve having a bifurcated stem is disposed in the liquid passage whereby beer flow results. The keg adapter is secured by a ring which locks under the keg flange by cooperation with a collar which locks the keg adapter flange to the keg flange. A coupler having segregated liquid and gas passages is attached to the keg adapter when the keg is tapped.

United States Patent [72] inventor MackS..lohnston Rolling Hills, Calif.[21] Appl. No. 773,387 [22] Filed Nov. 5, 1968 Division of Ser. No.587.627. Oct. 18.

1966, Pat. No. 3.422.448. which is a continuation of application Ser.No. 406.682. Oct. 27. 1964. now abandoned. which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 150,982. Nov. 8. 1961. now abandoned. and acontinuation of 395.084. Sept. 8, 1964. now Patent No. $231,154. datedJan. 25. 1966: said 150,982. a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 25.592.Apr. 29. 1960. abandoned. which is a continuation of application Ser.No. 159,818, Dec. 8,1961, now Patent No. 3,156,252, dated Nov. 10, 1964.

July 6, 1971 Republic Corporation Beverly Hills, Calif.

{45] Patented [73] Assignee [54] TAPPING DEVICE FOR BEER KEGS AND THELIKE 7 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.5. CI ZZZ/400.7 [51] Int. Cl 865d 83/00 [50] Field of Search222/400], 402.l4,402.16, 481

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,223,012 11/1940 Wanderskiet al. ZZZ/400,7

3,065,885 11/1962 Chatten ZZZ/400.7

3,173,586 3/1965 Pawson ZZZ/400.7

3,361,152 l/1968 Akers ZZZ/400.7 X

3,422,448 1/1969 Johnson ZZZ/400.7

3,438,553 4/1969 Johnson ZZZ/400.7

3,435,997 4/1969 Johnston ZZZ/400.7

Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Assistant ExaminerNorman L. Stack,Jr. Attorney-Le Blanc and Shur ABSTRACT: The tapping device includes akeg adapter semipermanently secured within a keg opening and havingliquid and gas passages. A valve having a bifurcated stem is disposed inthe liquid passage whereby beer flow results. The keg adapter is securedby a ring which locks under the keg flange by cooperation with a collarwhich locks the keg adapter flange to the keg flange. A coupler havingsegregated liquid and gas passages is attached to the keg adapter whenthe keg is tapped.

PATENIED JUL 6 |97| SHEET 1 OF 3 I NVENTOR.

MACK S. JOHNSTON A 'ITORNEYS,

ATENIED JUL 6 I97! SHEET 2 BF 3 m or INVENTOR MACK S. JOHNSTON FIG. 5A

ATTOR NE Y5 PATENTEU JUL slsm SHEET 3 OF 3 3,591,058

INVEN] OR MACK S. JOHNSTON FIG. 6

ATTORNEYS TAPlPllNG DEVICE FOR BEER KEGS AND THE LIKE This applicationis a division of my copending application Ser. No. 587,627 filed Oct.18, 1966 for Tapping Device for Beer Kegs and the Like, now U.S. Pat.No. 3,422,448 which, in turn, is a continuation of my copendingapplication Ser. No. 406,682, filed Oct. 27, 1964 for Siphon Device forBeer Kegs and the Like," now abandoned; said application Ser. No.406,682 is a continuation in part of my copending application Ser. No.150,982 filed Nov. 8, 1961, entitled Siphon Device for Beer Kegs and theLike, and also of my likewise entitled copending application Ser. No.395,084, filed Sept. 8, 1964 as a continuation of my aforesaidapplication Ser. No. 150,982. Said application Ser. No. 150,982 wasabandoned (after Notice of Allowance) in favor of said copendingapplication Ser. No. 395,084, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,154 onJan. 25, 1966. Said application Ser. No. 150,982 filed Nov. 8, 1961 wasitself a continuation-in-part of my then copending application Ser. No.25,592 entitled Beer Siphon Assembly," filed Apr. 29, 1960, which wasabandoned in favor of my application Ser. No. 159,818 entitled BeerSiphon Assembly filed Dec. 8, 1961 as a continuation of and copendingwith said application Ser. No. 25,592; said application Ser. No. 159,818was issued as U. S. Letters Pat. No. 3,156,252 on Nov. 10, 1964.

The present invention relates to a new, improved tapping device fordrawing fluid such as beer from containers such as beer kegs or barrels,using a gas to drive the fluid from the container. In particular, theinvention relates to a new, improved tapping device usable withconventional beer kegs and comprising a subunit, called a "keg adapter,which constantly seals the keg, and a subunit, called a coupler, whichis attached to the beer dispensing apparatus in a restaurant or tavernand is readily connected to the keg adapter so that the tapping deviceis automatically in operating condition.

Today, as in the past, the most widely prevailing practice in the beerindustry is for a brewery to provide draft beer to retail outlets inconventional kegs which have a three-fourth inch opening in the top,closed with a bung in the form ofa cork or plug. To dispense the beerfrom the keg, the bartender taps the keg by knocking in or pushing inthe bung and inserting an elongated tap rod with an associated siphon"device for drawing the beer from the keg, these being fastened to thekeg by means of a bayonet" or like connection. This siphon deviceincludes means for injecting compressed air or CO through the tap rodinto the keg to drive the beer up through the siphon, and also externalvalve means for respectively controlling the flow of gas into the kegand beer from the keg. A gas supply hose connects the siphon to a sourceof gas, and another hose connects it to the beer dispensing apparatusmounted on the counter or bar in the restaurant or tavern whereby beermay be dispensed from the keg. When the beer has been withdrawn from thekeg to the extent feasible, the bartender then removes the tap andsiphon device from the keg, removes the keg from the dispenser cabinet,installs a new keg, and repeats the process of knocking in or pushing inthe bung and installing the tap rod and related siphon equipment, etc.The same tap rod and siphon is used for every keg, and must be washedand cleaned periodically to prevent fouling and contamination.

This prevailing practice, which has been used for fifty years,

has a number of disadvantages for the brewery, the dispensingestablishment, and the public: The open empty kegs often become filledwith debris and trash of every sort. Not infrequently mice or otherobjectionable things get into the keg and swell and become difficult toremove through the bung hole. Insects which get into the keg and dry onthe inside wall are very difficult to wash off. Also, old yeast andother solids from the beer inevitably accumulate within the currentlyused conventional tap and siphon arrangements, with resultantaccumulation of destructive bacteria feeding on this material. When anew keg is tapped and the gas pressure is applied, the

fresh beer surges into unclean portions of the tap and siphon devicesand this causes the accumulated residue of yeast, bacteria, etc., to bewashed down into the keg, thus promptly contaminating the carefullybrewed product and also destroying its brewery-fresh" flavor. Thisproblem is further aggravated by the fact that in dispensing the beerfrom the keg there is a tendency of the beer to surge back and forthinto the tap chamber where the old yeast and destructive bacteria haveaccumulated as varying gas pressure is applied when the dispensingapparatus is operated. Hence, when a keg is tapped with conventionalmethods, the great care in preparing pure good quality beer at thebrewery promptly goes to naught at the dispensing establishment.

Further, on tapping, a substantial quantity of beer usually surges fromtlie keg, with economic loss and a resulting mess. Then, when thebartender removes the tap rod and siphon arrangement from an empty keg,residual gas pressure in the keg will often cause the tap and siphonunit to pop out suddenly, sometimes injuring the bartender. Moreover,the beer keg is generally kept in a refrigerated unit under the bar,with limited space, as a result of which conventional tapping of the kegby the bartender is somewhat awkward, time-consuming and diffieult(especially if the bartender is not too strong).

In an attempt to eliminate some of these aforementioned problems, analternative tapping device was adopted by one of the largest breweries.However, the alternative tapping device utilizes a nonconventional keghaving an opening in the top with a fitting therein for receiving gas,plus another opening in the side of the keg near the bottom with afitting therein for dispensing the beer. This arrangement requiresmanufacture, installation and coupling of two fittings. Also, the barrelis usually tilted to dispense the beer to maximum extent, which makeshandling more difficult and requires more space. Further, thenonconventional keg and its two fittings are not only more expensive,but also introduce problems in high speed automatic cleaning and fillingof kegs if the brewery is committed to above-described conventional kegsas is usually the case. Hence, the above-described tapping arrangementis still in common use, notwithstanding its many shortcomings.

However, it should be noted that the fact that these two aforementionedtapping devices are the only ones which have had substantial commercialusage prior to this invention does not mean that others have notattempted to design and develop tapping devices that would obviate theabove-mentioned problems without creating others. Numerous beer tappingdevices have been proposed over the last 50 60 years. However, becauseof various practical shortcomings, these numerous proposed devices havenot gained substantial acceptance in the draft beer industry. Perhaps,the principal reason why these other devices did not replace the presentcommercial tapping devices is because the designers of these devices didnot take into account several important facts of life in handling draftbeer.

Beer, unlike many other liquids, must be handled with extreme care lestit lose those qualities, such as taste, proper head and foam, andfreedom from cloudiness, which the public demands. Thus, if the flowpath from the keg to the dispensing apparatus is too tortuous orcontorted or if there is too large a pressure drop across the tappingdevice caused by a restricted flow path, the beer will become flat orwild" (e.g., too much foam).

Also, most (millions) of beer kegs or barrels in use in the UnitedStates at the present time have a three-fourth inch beer dispensingopening in their top and are designed to have the tapping unit connectedto the keg by means of a bayonet-type coupling. Therefore, to gainacceptance in the industry a new draft beer tapping device must beadapted for use with this small opening, and with the aforesaid means ofattachment to the kegs. However, the problem is not merely one ofminiaturization; e.g., if substantial industry penetration is to beexpected, an improved tapping device must be universal" for use withboth high and low pressure draft beer dispensing systems that are usedin different parts of the United States, without adversely affecting thequality of the beer.

Still further, an improved draft beer tapping device must be rugged soas to withstand rough treatment and handling, not only during the travelto and from the breweries, but also at the dispensing establishment. Inthis regard, the device must not only be constructed of strong, durablenontoxic materials, but it must also be designed so that it will notproject from the top of the keg, because it will commonly be knocked offthe keg during handling.

However, even if an improved tapping device meets those above criteriaand obviates the above-described problems, it must be subject toeconomical manufacture for sale at a competitive price in order to besuccessful.

My aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,23 l,] 54 issued from myabove-identified parent application Ser. No. 395,084 which discloses anew improved beer tapping device for dispensing beer or like liquids inkegs or barrels overcomes the abovediscussed and other problems andshortcomings of beer dispensing systems heretofore available, and alsoprovides a number of important advantages and improved results ashereinafter amplified. Particularly, the invention of my aforesaid U.S.Pat. No. 3,231,154 provides a new, improved means for packaging anddispensing beer and like liquids in kegs, utilizing an adaptersubassembly installed in and sealing the keg at the brewery, with a newimproved coupler subassembly which is fastened to said keg adapter bythe tavern keeper or bartender, thus automatically breaking the seal andreadying the keg for the dispensing of beer. Simple removal of theaforementioned coupler subassembly by the bartender causes the keg toautomatically reseal, thereby positively preventing the entry of trashor other foreign objects. In addition, the beer is positively preventedfrom entering the gas passageway portion of the tapping device, thuspreventing contamination or fouling of this portion of the device, bydried beer residue normally accumulating due to surging of the beer.

It is an object of the inventions of this application to provide furthernovel improved beer tapping devices, and novel improved keg adapter andcoupler subassemblies, and components for the same, of the general typedisclosed and claimed in my aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,154 so as toprovide additional improvements in construction, mode of operation andresult, as below-amplified.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a newimproved beer keg tapping device incorporating a keg adapter whichincludes an improved bifurcated valve in the liquid passageway of theadapter for controlling the flow of beer from the keg to permitwithdrawal of beer in both high and low pressure systems, without unduepressure loss or the beer becoming wild, and also preventing leakagecaused by specks of dirt or the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new tappingdevice for dispensing liquids which includes a novel and simplifieddispenser coupler unit of three'piece construction and having collarmeans rotating independently of the coupler unit for easy attachment ofthe coupler unit to a beer keg without special fittings. Moreover, inthis improved coupler unit, the necessity of forming separate gas andliquid passageways in the unit is eliminated by novel cooperationbetween the probe and the main bore formed in the unit, whereby the boreis able to accommodate both the gas and liquid passageways while stillkeeping these passageways segregated.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a newimproved beer tapping device which can be used with any standard type ofbeer keg in common usage, even though the kegs typically varyconsiderably in configuration and size, according to source and timeproduced. Further, the keg adapter unit of this invention, which asmentioned above is semipermanently fastened in a beer keg, does notprotrude from the end of the keg thus avoiding damage by rough handlingduring transit to and from breweries.

A further related object of this invention is to provide a novel andimproved means for securing the aforementioned keg adapter in aconventional beer keg by cooperating with the existing keg neckstructure to secure firmly the keg adapter in the beer dispensingopening of such kegs, and prevents any rotational or longitudinalmovement of the keg adapter once it is in place. This novel two-piecekeg adapter securing means eliminates reliance on friction fits andprotects against leakage between the keg adapter and the keg; and, inaddition, it can be easily installed on the kegs and, when onceinstalled, is substantially tamperproof. Moreover, the relativelycomplex portion of the securing means is completely surrounded andprotected by the outer portion of the securing means, thus permittingthe protected portion to be molded out of plastic if desired, therebypermitting the securing means to be made inexpensively withoutsacrificing ruggedness.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide such anew improved means for packaging and dispensing beer or the like from akeg or like container which achieves the above discussed objects andadvantages, yet can be made at a relatively low price with conventionalmachinery and with a minimum of tooling, whereby widespread use of theinvention in its intended field is economically feasible.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide such anew improved means for packaging and dispensing beer or the like from akeg or like container which achieves the above-discussed objects andadvantages, yet can be made at a relatively low price with conventionalmachinery and with a minimum of tooling, whereby widespread use of theinvention in its intended field is economically feasible.

Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following description thereof with reference to theaccompanying drawings, and also the appended claims. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a new improved packaging anddispensing tapping device according to this invention, which isgenerally similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 7 of myaforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,154, but which includes a modifiedimproved keg adapter unit (shown in particular detail in FIGS. 3-5),plus a modified improved dispenser coupler for use in restaurants or thelike (shown in FIG. 3);

FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing principal components ofthe packaging and dispensing device of FIGS. l and 2, it being notedthat the portion of FIG. 3 within bracket A constitutes the improvedcoupler unit applied by the bartender, and that the portion withinbracket 8;, constitutes the improved keg adapter unit installed in thekeg at the brewery (certain components of the keg adapter unit beingunexploded but shown in FIG. 4);

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective exploded view showing the valve andrelated components of the keg adapter unit;

FIG. 5 is a perspective sectional view of the main portion of the kegadapter unit showing in particular the air passages formed by cuttingaway threaded portions;

FIG. 5A is a top plan view of the main adapter unit shown in FIGS. 4 and5;

FIG. 5B is a vertical sectional view of the main portion of the kegadapter unit taken along lines 53;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view comprising subfigures 6A, 6B, 6C,6D and 6E showing the new improved arrangement of the present inventionfor securing the keg adapter to a conventional collar of a beer keg; and

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the upper portion of the improveddispenser coupler unit shown in FIG. 1 with a conventional dispenser capsecured thereto.

All drawings and the entire specification of my aforementioned U.S. Pat.No. 3,231,154, and of my said parent application from which that patentissued, are incorporated herein by reference as though here fully setforth.

FIGS. 1 5B, 6 and 7 show various embodiments of the present inventionconstituting improvements on the beer tapping devices and componentsthereof disclosed and claimed in my aforementioned U.S. Pat. No.3,231,154. FIGS.

portion of the keg 1 5B show a new improved keg tapping and dispensingdevice, A;,13 including an improved simplified dispenser coupler unit Afor use with the conventional dispensing apparatus and tanks ofcompressed gas that are usually found in taverns and restaurants (perFIG. 1 of my aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,231,154), plus an improvedkeg adapter unit B having an enlarged liquid passageway and an improvedgas passage and check valve arrangement.

For clarity and to minimize duplication of description, parts of theembodiment of FIGS. 1 5B which are the same as those in the variousembodiments of FIGS. 1 -8 of my aforementioned US Pat. No. 3,231,154 areidentified by like numerals as in the drawings and disclosure of saidUS. Pat. No. 3,231,154 incorporated herein by reference; and modifiedparts which correspond to parts of various embodiments of FIGS. 1 -8 ofmy aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,231,154 are identified in FIGS. 1 5B bylike numeral plus the subscript d, to the extent that is feasible.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 -5B the improved dispenser coupler unit A;,,while somewhat similar to the coupler units shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 7of my aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,231,154, has a novel, compact,efficient construction which greatly simplifies manufacturing, cleaningand maintenance as compared with commonly used prior art conventionaltapping units, and even as compared to my novel advantageous dispensercoupler units exemplified by embodiments A, and A in FIGS. 5 6 and FIGS.7 -7A of my aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,154.

This improved coupler unit A includes a generally cylindrical head 44dwhich has a central vertically extending bore 136 of three diameters,indicated at 138, 141) and 152. A tubular arm 144, having a central bore146, is preferably formed integrally with the head 44d and is adapted toreceive the end of a piece of tubing that connects coupler unit A to atank of pressurized gas or air, such as the tank 30 shown in FIG. 1 ofmy aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,154. The coupler unit A alsoincludes a generally tubular probe 64d which is positioned within thebore 136 and which has a central bore 66d that forms the sole liquidpassageway through the coupler unit. The exterior of the probe 64d isprovided with grooves 137 and 139 for sealing rings 141 and 143, whichmay be rings" of neoprene rubber. The sealing rings 141 preclude theescape of gas from passageway defined by bores 146, 136 and 142; and theunique cooperation between head 44d, probe 64d, seals 141 and 143,eliminates the necessity of drilling a separate gas passageway in thehead 44d with resultant savings in manufacturing costs and easiercleaning and maintenance.

The upper end of the probe 64d has an outwardly extending flange 148having an outer diameter and thickness substantially equal to the innerdiameter and depth of bore 138 whereby when the probe is positionedwithin the head 44d the upper end of the probe 148 is aligned with thetop of the head as shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. '7, when dispensercoupler unit A is used in a restaurant, a conventional cap 152 isconnected to the externally threaded portion 150 of head 44d, and thiscap 152, used with a sealing ring 154, holds the probe 64d within bore136 in coupler head 44d, thereby forcing the lower end of the probe 64dto project sufficiently below the bottom of the coupler head portion 44dso as to open the beer valve in the keg adapter unit B;, when thecoupler unit A; is connected thereto, in a manner similar to thatdescribed with regard to the embodiments of FIGS. 2, and 7 of my saidUS. Pat. No. 3,231,154 (and as hereinafter amplified). Cap 152 has twohandle portions 156 and its upper end 158 is adapted to be connected tothe beer conduit of conventional dispensing apparatus typically used intaverns, restaurants, and the like (such as shown at 36, 38, 40 and 42in FIG. 1 of my said US. Pat. No. 3,231,154).

An annular member 160 is secured about the slightly enlarged lower endof the coupler head AM by a snap ring 162 and retains collar 118drotatably mounted on coupler head 44:1. The snap ring 162 allows themember 160 to be quickly removed from the head 44d so that collar 118dcan he slipped off head 44d for easy repair or replacement whennecessary. The collar 118a has a plurality of handle portions 119dformed integrally therewith, is internally threaded at 124d forcooperation with the threaded portion 128d of the annular ring 126d, asshown in FIG. 1, and fits loosely on the head thereby permittingrelative rotation between the collar and the head. The ring 1260 formsthe outer portion of the abovementioned improved means (shownparticularly in FIGS. 68, C and D) for securing the keg adapter unit 8;,in the standard three-fourth inch diameter opening 22 in a conventionalbeer keg 20, as more fully described hereinafter. The bottom of the head44d carries an annular seal 56d which may be of an O- ring of neoprenerubber, for providing an annular seal between the coupler unit A and theupper surface 166 of the ring 126d of adapter unit B surrounding thebeer and gas passages (see FIG. 1).

While the keg adapter unit B shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is somewhat similarto the keg adapter units shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 of my said US. Pat. No.3,231,154, the keg adapter unit B has a unique gas passageway formedtherein permitting an enlarged beer withdrawal passage, with an improvedbeer check valve arrangement providing a number of important advantages,as amplified herein.

Thus, the keg adapter unit 8;, comprises a main fitting 76d whichincludes a generally cylindrical body section 77d having an enlargedflange 78d extending radially outwardly from the upper end thereof. Theouter periphery of the flange 78d is notched, as shown at 168, andcooperates with a reversed notched portion 170 formed about the edge ofthe central aperture 172 in the ring 126d to prevent the fitting 76dfrom passing upward through the ring aperture 172. These notchedportions of the flange 78d and ring 126d are arranged so that when thekeg adapter unit B is positioned in a keg, the upper surface of theflange 78d lies in the same horizontal plane as the upper surface 160 ofring 126d, as shown in FIG. 1, whereby metal ring 126a protects theadapter fitting 76d, particularly when the latter is made of plastic.

The body section 770' of main fitting 76d has a pair of centrallydisposed, coaxial bores 82d and 84d formed therein. As shown in FIGS. 5,5A and 53, there are four longitudinally extending segments 174positioned evenly about the inner periphery of these two bores anddefining between them four substantially identical upper slots orgrooves 176 and lower slots or grooves 177. The upper ends of thesegments 174 in the lower bore 84d protrude longitudinally, slightlyabove the shoulder 178 formed between the two bores 82d and 84d therebyforming four radial grooves 180 in the shoulder 178 that interconnectthe slots 176 and 177 in the two bores 82d and 84:1. The upper portionsof the segments 174 in the upper bore 82d are provided with interruptedthreads 182 adapted to receive an externally threaded retainer ring 92d,the lower end of which tightly engages annular rubber valve seat 88d tosecure valve seat 88d between the ring 92d and the upper end ofa tubularmember 1184. Member 184 includes an upper portion 185 which fits withinthe bore 82d and a lower portion 187 which fits within the lower bore84d and extends beyond the lower end of the main fitting 76d. Acompression spring 97 fits within the upper portion of the member 184and its lower and rests on the shoulder 189 formed by the juncture ofthe two portions 185 and 187 of member 184. The spring 97 biases a newimproved form of beer valve 90d upwardly against the underside of therubber valve seat 88d in a manner like that described above inconnection with the embodiments of FIGS. 1-8 of said US. Pat. No.3,231,154. The improved valve 90d differs from valve 90 shown in FIG. 8of said US. Pat. No. 3,231,154 in that the middle part of the stemportion 98d has been removed as shown in FIG. 1, 10 and 12, so as toenlarge the beer passage space 99d when the valve 90d is displaced fromseat 88 by application of the coupler (as in FIG. I). This providessuperior beer flow characteristics making the keg adapter unit 13,universal for lowand high-pressure beer systems, while avoiding makingthe beer wild" as it is drawn from the keg.

Referring again especially to FIG. 1, a beer tap rod 106d isfrictionally or otherwise secured around the lower end 187 of member184, and extends to the bottom of the keg (similarly to FIG. 1 in myaforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,154). Tap rod 106d may be made of asuitable flexible material, in which case it need not be bent like metalrod 106 in P16. 1 of my said U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,154 to permit insertionofa rod through side opening 29 of typical beer keg 20.

A resilient gas check valve 108d is positioned with a lower portiontightly engaging a peripheral portion of tap rod 106; and the lower endof the keg adapter fitting body section 77d is chamfered at 186 toreceive the upper end of the gas check valve 108d which tightly fitsaround part 186. Like in valve 108 shown in F165. 2, 3 and 7 of myaforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,154, a slit 109 is formed in theintermediate portion of valve 108d to permit gas or air to pass from theinside of the valve to the interior of the keg when the pressure of thegas is greater than the pressure inside the keg; whereas the ends ofvalve 108d and slit 1109 prevent gas or beer from passing from theinterior of the keg to the inside of valve Wild and thus precludecontamination of the gas feed portions of the tapping device comprisingkeg adapter B and coupler dispenser A The improved keg adapter unit 8;,of this invention including main fitting 76d achieves an increased gaspassageway through which gas or air under pressure may pass fromdispenser coupler unit A to the inside of valve 108d, via grooves 176and 177 and radial grooves 180 formed in the interrupted threads 182 ofbody section 77d in cooperation with ring 9211, valve seat 28 and member1841. The outwardly extending flange 188 on the upper end of the ring92d protects the upper end of this passageway from the entry of dirt,etc. without causing undue restriction of the gas passageway. Thus, theimproved gas passageway in the adapter unit B is formed through theunique utilization of existing structure of the fitting 76d and obviatesthe necessity of drilling an extra, separate bore for the gas passagewayin the adapter unit (as in the embodiments of FIGS. 18 of my said U.S.Pat. No. 3,231,154). This not only leads to savings in the manufacturingcosts; but, more importantly, given the maximum limit of a three-fourthinch beer keg passage, it makes it possible to provide a larger beerpassage in the keg adapter main fitting 76d to reduce pressure drop andenable use in both highand lowpressure systems. Moreover, use of thisfeature in conjunction with the beer valve 911d having a cutout stem 98din main fitting 76d has provided an unexpectedly improved keg adapterunit B The keg adapter B having the described arcuate slotted gaspassages extending around the beer valve, as shown particularly in FIGSll-B, has a relatively small radial dimension but relatively largeannular dimension, thus providing a quite large cross-sectional areawithin the total overall three-fourth inch diameter size limit imposedon a tapping device for conventional Peerless" type beer kegs, which arethe most numerous in use in the U.S. beer industry. A gas passagearrangement such as shown at 137 in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7 of myaforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,154 is fully satisfactory for asingle beer keg installation, which is typical of most U.S. draft beerdispensing installations. However, said gas passage arrangement is notfully suitable for certain types of Series Taps," wherein a plurality(e.g., four) draft beer kegs are connected in series, according tomarketing practices in some parts of the United States. In such "SeriesTap" installations, the beer must be driven from the most remote keg inthe series through all the intermediate kegs to the first keg connectedto the dispensing faucet, via the gas valve passages in the tappingdevices. The disclosed and described novel arrangement of arcuateelongated gas passages having a large cross-sectional area, with minimalradial dimension makes it possible to use the new improved embodiment ofFIGS. 1-5 in series tap draft beer systems. This affords importantcompetitive advantages, since a single model draft beer tapping deviceaccording to this invention can be used for both single beer kegs andmultiple keg series tap installations. Among other things,

this new improvement simplifies production, inventory, marketing,achieving increased trade acceptance, as well as reducing costs, etc.

It is noted, however, that the above-described arrangement shown inF168. 1-5B, is a preferred form of the improved gas passageway per thisinvention, but that it would be possible to form grooves like 176 and177 on the exterior of ring 92d and in member 184 rather than in theinterior of body section 77d of the fitting 76d.

As hereinbefore mentioned, the keg adapter unit B of FIGS. 1-5 is heldin the standard opening 22 in a conventional beer keg 21 by means of anovel and improved securing means shown particularly in FIG. 6, as wellas FIGS. 1-3, adapted to cooperate with the standard so-called "Peerlessbeer keg flange or collar 23 found on conventional beer kegs in mostcommon use. This improved securing means includes the ring 126d which,as shown in FIG. 1, has its lower end spaced slightly above the top ofthe keg 20, and which is internally threaded at 1191) to receive anexternally threaded ring 192, as shown in H6. 6D. The ring 192 includesa thin wall section 1% which has inwardly and upwardly projecting,diametrically opposite tabs 1% and 198 formed on its inner periphery.Also formed on the upper inner periphery of the wall section 1194 andspaced circumferentially from the tabs 196 and 198 are inwardlyextending, diametrically opposite abutments 201] and 202.-As shown moreclearly in FIG. 6B, the standard "Peerless beer keg flange 23 has twodiametrically opposite cutaway portions 204, and at one end of each ofthese cutaway portions, has a lower depending projection 208 formedintegrally with the flange 23 and the short, cylindrical wall 22' of theopening 22. These two projections 208 have an outer diameter equal tothe outer diameter of the flange 23 and the lower end of each is spacedabove the top of the keg 20, a distance slightly greater than the heightof the wall section 194 of ring 192.

To utilize this improved securing means, the ring 192 is snapped overthe flange 23 so that it rests on the top of keg 20 with the tabs 1196and 198 extending upwardly; and the ring 192 is aligned so that theprojections 208 of the flange 23 fit between adjacent tabs 1% and 198and abutments 200 and 202. The keg adapter unit is checked to be surethat main fitting portion 76d is properly positioned within the keg opening 22 and that a sealing ring 1116 is correctly positioned between thetop of keg flange 23 and the bottom of adapter fitting flange 78d. Thering 126:! is then placed over the upper end of the adapter fittingportion 76d and aligned with the flange 78d so that the respectivenotched portions 168 and 170 of each will properly fit together.Thereafter, the ring 126d is threaded on ring 1192 so that the ring 192is drawn up within the lower inside portion of ring 126d until the upperends of the tabs 1% and 1911 contact the undersides 23' of keg flange 23(FIGS. 1 and 6). The height of the wall section 1% is such that when theends of the tabs 1% and 1198 contact the underside 23 of keg flange 23,the entire wall section 19 1 is completely within and protected by thering 12611. Thus, as shown in F168. 11 and 2, when the rings 126d and192 are assembled, they cooperate with the flange 23 to securely lockthe keg adapter unit within the opening 22 to prevent any longitudinalor rotational movement of the adapter unit relative to opening.Moreover, due to the unique construction of this arrangement forsecuring a keg adapter unit B and its main portion 76:1 in a keg, therelatively complex portion of the securing means, namely, ring 192, maybe inexpensively molded of plastic, without sacrificing strength orruggedness of the keg adapter B which encounters considerable abuse indraft beer commercial operations, since the metal ring 126d completelyprotects plastic securing ring 192 as well as adapter main unit 76d.

Thus, it is readily apparent that the improved securing means of thisinvention provides a simple and inexpensive, yet sure way of locking thekeg adapter units of this invention in the standard three-fourth inchdiameter openings of the conventional beer kegs without requiring anymodification of the openings or flanges of the kegs.

Summarizing the mode of operation of the unit of FIGS. 1- 5, the kegadapter unit B is installed in the keg at the brewery as aboveexplained. The beer valve 90d is normally biased closed against seat 88dby spring 97, thus sealing the keg 20, preventing loss of beer oringress of foreign objects, etc., as discussed above. To tap a keg fullof beer, the bartender applies to the adapter unit B the coupler unit Ahaving a cap 152 connected to a beer outlet conduit, with gas inlet M4connected to a gas supply. This is done by merely inserting couplerprobe 6411 in the aperture of ring 2d and rotating coupler collar 118dto thread it on adapter unit collar 126d. The O-rings 143, M1 and 56dseal off the gas passage 146ll4012l76-180177 to the inside of gas checkvalve 108d. The probe 64d depresses the split valve stem 98a to open thebeer dispensing passage through l06d-l87-l85- 88d-66d, while O-rings l4]and 143 and slit valve 108d prevent beer from surging intoany partofthepassageways in either the keg adapte r fizi or the coupler unit A:,.Removal of coupler unit A by unthreading collar 118d automaticallyreseals the keg adapter 8;. and thus the keg 20.

Operation of the above-described new improved tapping devices of thepresent invention will now be summarized with particular reference toFIGS. 1-6E.

The keg adapter B is installed in keg 20 (Peerless type), shown in FIG.1 of my said U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,154, by inserting the main fitting 76dand tap rod 106d extending therefrom through the aperture 22 of keg 20,and then securing this adapter unit B to flange 23 of keg 20 by applyingthe keg adapter inner locking ring 192 and outer keg locknut 126d asabove described with particular reference to FIG. 6. Keg adapter B canbe washed and sterilized in place in the keg, while the latter is beingsterilized, either on automatic equipment or by hand, using means toshoot cleaning solution and then hot water or steam through keg adapterB The keg 20 is filled with beer by means of a filling rod insertedthrough a side aperture (see FIG. 1 of my aforementioned U.S. Pat. No.3,231,154). Unless and until the coupler unit A is installed at thetavern, the pressure of the spring 97 on the underside of the valveclosure member 90 a forces the latter to engage the rubber seating ring88d, thus sealing keg opening 22 to prevent either gas or beer fromescaping. When the keg 20 incorporating the keg adapter 3;, is installedin the beer dispensary, the bartender assembles the coupler A, on thekeg adapter B by the simple expedient of screwing,the wingnut 118d ofcoupler head 44d onto the threaded exterior 1280' of keg adapter outerlocknut 126d, until the O-ring 56a is sufficient compressed into goodsealing engagement with the top surface of flange 78d of the mainfitting 76d of keg adapter 8;. Meanwhile, the end or tip of coupler unitprobe 64d is inserted within the axial bore of seating ring 920', withprobe O ring T43 sealingly engaging the same, whereby the lower end ortip of probe 641! depresses the vertical sides of bifurcated stemportion 98d of the valve 90d, thereby displacing the sealing plate ofbeer valve 90d from the underside of rubber seating gasket or ring 38d,as shown in FIG. 1. This allows beer to flow into the interior of valvespring retaining section 184 via tap rod 166 from keg 20 and to passthrough the central aperture of valve sealing ring 83d and bifurcatedvalve stem 88d into the central bore 66d of coupler probe 64d and thencethrough a dispensing hose secured to conventional cap 152 on couplerhead Md (see FIG. 3A) to a dispenser faucet (e.g., see 38 and in FIG. 1of my said patent No. 3,23l,l54). Since the O- ring 143 is in sealingengagement with the inside of retainer ring 92d, beer is prevented fromescaping to the outside of coupler probe Md. The faucet at the dispenseris used to suitably control withdrawal of beer from the keg 20 in knownmanner. When the keg 20 is first tapped, the natural pressure of gaswithin the keg will drive beer up through tap rod 106d through tappingassembly Ar -8 The described assembly A B of the present inventionprovides such an effective means for initial tapping of the beer kegthat the loss of draft beer upon tapping is automatically kept to aminimum (for example, one glass), as compared to typical loss of a quartwith prior conventional tapping means. An air supply fitting is securedto extension 144 of coupler head 44d of unit A and compressed air or gasis supplied at a controlled rate to the tapping assembly Ag-Bg. Sincethe lower surface of head 44d of coupler unit A;, is sealed tightlyagainst the upper surface of flange 78d of adapter unit B and since theprobe 64d is also sealed withrespect to keg adapter B by O-ring 143, thegas or air fed into aperture 146 of extension 144 is forced down throughpassages 136 and 142 through the air grooves 176 in keg adapter 8;, intothe interior of slit gas valve 108d. The compressed gas or air passesout through slit(s) 109 of gas valve 108d but cannot pass back throughgas valve 108d or into the liquid valve chamber through which beer ispassed via tap rod 106d. When the pressure in the keg 20 is less thanthe gas pressure fed to the tapping assembly A B the rubber valve 108dexpands, thereby releasing gas into the keg through the valve slit(s)109, and the gas thus injected into the keg 20 forces the beer throughthe tap rod 106d, and up through tubular tap rod 106d directly into thebeer valve chamber, whence it passes through central aperture 66d ofcoupler unit A; to the dispensing line, as previously discussed.

In recapitulation, it is apparent from the foregoing that the presentinvention provides a new improved gas pressure tapping device fordrawing fluids such as beer from containers such as beer kegs; saidtapping device utilizing a new improved keg adapter unit which remainsin the beer keg at all times keeping it sealed and a new improveddispenser coupler unit which is semipermanently connected to theconventional dispensing apparatus at a tavern or restaurant and whichcan be readily and easily connected to the keg adapter unit by abartender. While keeping within the three-fourth inch outer diameterlimitation dictated by the size of beer openings in conventional beerkegs, the improved keg adapter units of this invention have a relativelylarge, nontortuous and unobstructed liquid passage through which thebeer is withdrawn from the keg with a minimum of expansion andcontraction, thereby substantially obviating the problem of beerbecoming wild" or flat" during withdrawal, and making this inventionuniversally usable with low and high pressure beer systems. Moreover,the improved keg adapter units of this invention also include a gaspassage which is completely segregated from the liquid passage therein,and with the beer being positively prevented from entering any part ofthe gas passage from within the keg, thus preventing contamination ofthe beer. In addition, the keg adapter units include new improved meansfor securing said adapter units within the beer openings in conventionalbeer kegs (e.g. so-called Peerless system kegs) without modification ofopenings in these beer kegs, The new improved coupler units of thisinvention can be easily and quickly attached to the keg adapter unitsand permit the tapping of beer kegs without the mess and economic lossheretofore common in tapping beer kegs using the prior tapping devices.The arrangement of the dispenser coupler units of this invention is suchthat it can be easily maintained and cleaned and can be manufacturedcompetitively. Thus, the new, improved tapping device of this invention,with all its herein-disclosed novel and improved features, clearlyachieves the various important objects and advantages set forth above.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Whatl claim and desire to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a keg or likecontainer for liquid which has top, bottom and sidewalls with an openingin one wall of said keg surrounded by a keg neck and an outwardlydirected flange about the terminus of said keg neck and spaced from saidone keg wall characterized in that it comprises: a keg adapter includinga generally cylindrical main body, means for securing said body withinthe keg wall opening including an annular portion for overlying kegneck, said securing means further including an element engageable withand below the flange about the keg opening, said keg adapter having aliquid passage extending therethrough for transfer of liquid from theinside to the outside of -a keg, said liquid passage being defined inpart by a central annular portion carried by said main body; normallyclosed liquid valve means in the liquid passage through said adapter,said main body including a sleeve defining with said central portion anannular gas passage therebetween and bypassing said liquid passage andsaid liquid valve means for transmitting gas through said adapter fromthe outside to the inside of the keg, means extending between saidsleeve and said central portion interrupting a portion of said annulargas passage and forming a plurality of slots, and normally closed gasvalve means carried by said adapter and associated with said gas passagefor permitting in a valve open position, flow of gas toward the insideof the keg and for preventing in a valve closed position, flow of liquidfrom the keg through said gas passage,

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a dispensing coupler unitfor releasable connection with said keg adapter comprising a couplerhead having a member disposed therein forming a liquid passage throughsaid coupler unit, one end of said member projecting from said couplerhead for communication with the liquid passage in said annular portionof said keg adapter when said coupler unit is connected to said kegadapter, said coupler head having a gas passage for communication withthe gas passage in said keg adapter when said coupler unit is connectedto said keg adapter, said liquid passage and said gas passage in saidcoupler unit being segregated one from the other, and means adapted toreleasably connect said dispensing unit to said keg adapter, said meansincluding a collar carried by said coupler unit and freely rotatableabout said head, means for retaining said collar on said coupler headincluding a ring removably attached to said coupler head, means carriedby said collar and engageable with said first mentioned annular portionfor releasably coupling said dispensing unit to said keg adapter.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 including sealing means about the endof said member projecting from said head for sealing engagement aboutthe annular portion of the main body.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said gas valve means includesa flexible member.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said central portion includesa substantially annular shoulder and a valve seat, said liquid valvemeans including a valve stem and a spring seating on said annularshoulder and urging said valve stem toward said seat to maintain saidliquid valve means in a normally closed position.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 including a siphon tube extending fromthe lower end of said adapter body in communication with the liquidpassage therethrough.

7. Apparatus according to claim I wherein said first mentioned annularportion comprises a substantially radially outwardly directed flange,and a sealing ring between said flange and the marginal portions of thekeg neck about the opening.

Disclaimer 3,591,058.M (107:: S. Johnston, Rolling Hills, Calif. TAPPINGDEVICE FOR BEER KEGS AND THE LIKE. Patent dated July 6, 1971. Disclaimerfiled Apr. 13, 1972, by the assignee, Draft Systems, Inc. Herebydisclaims the portion of the term of the patent subsequent to J an. 25,1983.

[Official Gazette November 14, 1.972.]

1. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a keg or likecontainer for liquid which has top, bottom and sidewalls with an openingin one wall of said keg surrounded by a keg neck and an outwardlydirected flange about the terminus of said keg neck and spaced from saidone keg wall characterized in that it comprises: a keg adapter includinga generally cylindrical main body, means for securing said body withinthe keg wall opening including an annular portion for overlying kegneck, said securing means further including an element engageable withand below the flange about the keg opening, said keg adapter having aliquid passage extending therethrough for transfer of liquid from theinside to the outside of a keg, said liquid passage being defined inpart by a central annular portion carried by said main body; normallyclosed liquid valve means in the liquid passage through said adapter,said main body including a sleeve defining with said central portion anannular gas passage therebetween and bypassing said liquid passage andsaid liquid valve means for transmitting gas through said adapter fromthe outside to the inside of the keg, means extending between saidsleeve and said central portion interrupting a portion of said annulargas passage and forming a plurality of slots, and normally closed gasvalve means carried by said adapter and associated with said gas passagefor permitting in a valve open position, flow of gas toward the insideof the keg and for preventing in a valve closed position, flow of liquidfrom the keg through said gas passage.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1including a dispensing coupler unit for releasable connectIon with saidkeg adapter comprising a coupler head having a member disposed thereinforming a liquid passage through said coupler unit, one end of saidmember projecting from said coupler head for communication with theliquid passage in said annular portion of said keg adapter when saidcoupler unit is connected to said keg adapter, said coupler head havinga gas passage for communication with the gas passage in said keg adapterwhen said coupler unit is connected to said keg adapter, said liquidpassage and said gas passage in said coupler unit being segregated onefrom the other, and means adapted to releasably connect said dispensingunit to said keg adapter, said means including a collar carried by saidcoupler unit and freely rotatable about said head, means for retainingsaid collar on said coupler head including a ring removably attached tosaid coupler head, means carried by said collar and engageable with saidfirst mentioned annular portion for releasably coupling said dispensingunit to said keg adapter.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 includingsealing means about the end of said member projecting from said head forsealing engagement about the annular portion of the main body. 4.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said gas valve means includes aflexible member.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said centralportion includes a substantially annular shoulder and a valve seat, saidliquid valve means including a valve stem and a spring seating on saidannular shoulder and urging said valve stem toward said seat to maintainsaid liquid valve means in a normally closed position.
 6. Apparatusaccording to claim 5 including a siphon tube extending from the lowerend of said adapter body in communication with the liquid passagetherethrough.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said firstmentioned annular portion comprises a substantially radially outwardlydirected flange, and a sealing ring between said flange and the marginalportions of the keg neck about the opening.